Cells (Dec 2023)

Scanning Probe Microscopy Techniques for Studying the Cell Glycocalyx

  • Dmitry Kolesov,
  • Anna Astakhova,
  • Maria Galdobina,
  • Alexey Moskovtsev,
  • Aslan Kubatiev,
  • Alisa Sokolovskaya,
  • Leonid Ukrainskiy,
  • Sergey Morozov

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12242778
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 24
p. 2778

Abstract

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The glycocalyx is a brush-like layer that covers the surfaces of the membranes of most cell types. It consists of a mixture of carbohydrates, mainly glycoproteins and proteoglycans. Due to its structure and sensitivity to environmental conditions, it represents a complicated object to investigate. Here, we review studies of the glycocalyx conducted using scanning probe microscopy approaches. This includes imaging techniques as well as the measurement of nanomechanical properties. The nanomechanics of the glycocalyx is particularly important since it is widely present on the surfaces of mechanosensitive cells such as endothelial cells. An overview of problems with the interpretation of indirect data via the use of analytical models is presented. Special insight is given into changes in glycocalyx properties during pathological processes. The biological background and alternative research methods are briefly covered.

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